04/09/2026
๐๐๐โ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ข๐ง๐ง๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ง ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐-๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ ๐ญ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ฌ, ๐๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐๐ค๐๐ซ๐ฌ
The University of Eastern PangasinanโCollege of Teacher Education (UEPโCTE) held its 9th Binnalon: Pinning, Candle Lighting, Send-Off, and Testimonial Ceremonies on September 3, 2026, at the Don Ramon J. Guico Sr. Sports and Civic Center, with the theme โ : Ready to Lead and Serve the Glocal Communities.โ
The annual ceremony brought together field study and teaching internship students, March 2026 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT) passers, and members of the UEPโCTE community in recognition of their preparation and accomplishments in teacher education.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Raymond N. Claro, CTE dean and OIC-vice president for academic affairs and internationalization, encouraged the student interns as they began their teaching internship.
University President Dr. Evelyn Abalos-Tomboc, in her inspirational message, reminded the interns to remain humble, continue learning, and share their knowledge with others.
โMay you be humble, wish to learn more, and when you have more, that's where you can share more of what we have,โ Dr. Abalos-Tomboc said.
Hon. Glory Jovelyn G. Manaois, chairperson of the Committee on Education, likewise emphasized the responsibility of future teachers to guide their learners. โKeep your light burning, as all of you light your candles today, let that flame symbolize the guide every teacher carries,โ she said.
The program proceeded with the statement of purpose delivered by Dr. Cipriano Q. Mendoza Jr., program head of Early Childhood and Elementary Education and Teaching Internship Coordinator. Mr. Eldwin D. Bas-Ilen, a student of Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English, then introduced the keynote speaker.
Dr. Vivian Luz S. Pagatpatan, CESO V, Schools Division superintendent of the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Pangasinan II, served as the keynote speaker. In her message, she emphasized the values future teachers should uphold as they enter the profession.
โStay grounded and true to your principles and values it allโvalues in humility, kindness, compassion, and love,โ Dr. Pagatpatan said.
She stressed that being a โMagaling na Guroโ involves more than teaching competence, as educators must also demonstrate humility, kindness, compassion, and love in serving their learners and communities.
The Pinning Ceremony followed, formally recognizing the Field Study and Teaching Internship students as they prepared for classroom practice.
The ceremony also recognized the March 2026 LEPT passers, including those who attained a 90% board rating, through the awarding of certificates.
A candle-lighting ceremony and prayer for the pre-service teachers and LEPT takers followed, led by Ms. Arabella Grace O. Licaycay, a BSEd-English teaching intern.
The program also featured testimonies from UEPโCTE alumni Ms. Raisa G. De Vera,a BSEd-English graduate of Batch 2019, and Ms. Nadgira U. Salic, a BSEd-Mathematics graduate of Batch 2025. They shared their experiences as graduates and teachers, offering reflections to the students preparing for the profession.
Ms. Jessa Mapalo, a faculty member of College of Teacher Education also delivered a response message to the LEPT takers on behalf of the alumni.
The ceremony concluded with the closing remarks of Mr. Glen S. Diwag, program head of Bachelor of Secondary Education, who urged the students to carry the knowledge and values they gained as they enter the teaching profession.
